Cantwell ‘Safe for Reelection’ — Poll

A new statewide survey by Public Policy Polling concludes that Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., is “safe for reelection,” with what these days passes for a pretty strong job approval rating for a member of Congress.

“It doesn’t look like there’s going to be a lot of excitement at the federal level in Washington this fall: Cantwell and Barack Obama are both pretty safe,” said the firm. PPP usually polls for Democrats, but gave Obama low approval ratings through much of 2011.

Getty Images

In match-ups, Cantwell has a 51-36 percent lead over announced Republican challenger State Sen. Michael Baumgartner, and is running 50-36 percent ahead of rumored (but lying low) foe Seattle Port Commissioner Bill Bryant.

Cantwell has support from 90 percent of Democrats, a better score than the Elway Poll recorded for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee. She leads by 10-11 points among Independents. (Elway found Republican Rob McKenna far ahead of Inslee.) And she shaves off 10-11 percent of Republicans.

The senator’s lead is built on heavy support in King and Snohomish Counties, where Democrats need big majorities to win statewide.

The pollster found that 47 percent of those surveyed approve of the job Cantwell is doing, while 38 percent disapprove.

PPP did predict excitement this fall at the state level, saying: “Hotly contested referendums on gay marriage and marijuana and what’s likely to be a close race for Governor should provide enough intrigue at the state level to make this an exciting election year in the state.”

Cantwell put on a show of strength this week. She drew 600 people to a Wednesday fundraiser in which she was joined by four fellow Democratic women from the Senate. The lunch raised more than $140,000.